Playing up is out of control

[pbj2000]

Seems like more and more teams are playing "way up" beyond their age groups. I have seen 99s playing 14U and 98s playing 16U this fall. If I am one of the older teams this would really pi$$ me off. I think they would prefer to play teams their own age. The younger teams could care less. They have nothing to lose and the coach can brag about his girls playing or beating an older team. I have also seen older teams beat the crap out of these younger teams. To the point where I did not think it was safe for the younger girls. When is Texas going to get it together and make teams play in their respective age groups like other states? I don’t believe CA allows it.

You must be from NorTex. SoTex does not have teams playing up as much but the ones that do typically hold there own. NorTex is out of control.

I second that NTX is out of control

[amazing]

Seems like more and more teams are playing "way up" beyond their age groups. I have seen 99s playing 14U and 98s playing 16U this fall. If I am one of the older teams this would really pi$$ me off. I think they would prefer to play teams their own age. The younger teams could care less. They have nothing to lose and the coach can brag about his girls playing or beating an older team. I have also seen older teams beat the crap out of these younger teams. To the point where I did not think it was safe for the younger girls. When is Texas going to get it together and make teams play in their respective age groups like other states? I don’t believe CA allows it.

You must be from NorTex. SoTex does not have teams playing up as much but the ones that do typically hold there own. NorTex is out of control.

North Texas seems to allow anyone that signs up for a tournament, to play, regardless of age. It’s not like that in other parts of the country.
Some teams hold their own, some actually win and others get mashed! If all teams would stay age pure the quality of each age bracket would get much better and the distinction between A and B would develop.
I would like to see more "age pure" tournaments. It makes sense to play up in the fall if you are preparing to move up in the spring. It makes sense to move up if you are having demonstratable success in a lower age division. Otherwise it’s a practice that only waters down the game and waters down each age group.

[DonnieS]

Amazing, as long as the tournament is on vtd you can see the teams that are registered for it. When we sign up for a tournament, I will go and check out the teams - many times I have looked at tournaments, and checked the 18u cat, and go to pull up the teams and find they are mostly 14u teams. There are some strong teams in the areas we like to play in, and when I find them, I figure we will get to face them through the tournament, but even then if there is a load of 14u, we may pass. That being said, there are some very tough 14u teams, we had a very good one 4 months or so with a very good pitcher push us the edge, we squeaked out a 1-0 run (unearned run) win.

[dueceduece]

Maybe with VTD moving in on ASA in NTX we'll see some changes???

If I were you I wouldn't put all my eggs in that VTD basket. Don't be surprised if it doesn't make it.

As for teams playing up. 99's playing 14U is ridiculous and I have never seen it. Tell us where this happened or is this an exaggeration. Are you assuming this is a 99 team. Just curious. Familiar with most the 99's and 14U's around NTX and I haven't seen that happen. Although I have missed most of the 14U this season. Been with the younger mostly this season. Not saying it didn't happen just curious as to where this happened.

[SnocatzDad]

North Texas seems to allow anyone that signs up for a tournament, to play, regardless of age. It’s not like that in other parts of the country.
Some teams hold their own, some actually win and others get mashed! If all teams would stay age pure the quality of each age bracket would get much better and the distinction between A and B would develop.
I would like to see more "age pure" tournaments. It makes sense to play up in the fall if you are preparing to move up in the spring. It makes sense to move up if you are having demonstratable success in a lower age division. Otherwise it’s a practice that only waters down the game and waters down each age group.

Age is meaningless, quality is everything. I'll take a top 14U team over a mediocre 16U or weak 18U age pure team. 10U playing up to 14U is different, too much growing left to do. Differences between HS freshman and seniors are minor compared to physical difference between a HS freshman and a 6th grader.

I would agree that a team that is weak in it's own age bracket is doing a disservice to other teams it plays against if it chooses to play up an age despite being average at their own age. Bottom line is that you can choose to try to live in a vacuum and pick your tournaments with a dartboard, or you can reach out and communicate with the other strong teams around you and attend the same tournaments so that you know the level of competition you will face. Maybe a little less time debating over 100 pages the best 14U team in North Texas and a little more time organizing an invite only tournament in North Texas for the best teams. Probably can work out taking turns on different weekends between the major players. I think you'll find that those weak teams playing up will avoid a tournament that is drawing the top talent at the upper age level.

[cliponbeard]

agreed, physical differences between 14 and 18yr old girl are minimal......10yr and 14yr old different story. Another factor is high school coaches encouraging kids to play up early and often, they want their freshmen exposed to Sr's ASAP. Not offering an opinion, just stating the facts as observed

[Joe]

If I were you I wouldn't put all my eggs in that VTD basket. Don't be surprised if it doesn't make it.

What other basket is there right now? ASA has presented nothing so far except pulling the rug out from under all the teams and TDs for the remainder of the year. VTD has been around for several years and provided a decent service that all or most use, at least in NTX.

It will be interesting to see who goes where to play on any given weekend. After that, then we'll see who "makes it".

[dueceduece]

If I were you I wouldn't put all my eggs in that VTD basket. Don't be surprised if it doesn't make it.

What other basket is there right now? ASA has presented nothing so far except pulling the rug out from under all the teams and TDs for the remainder of the year. VTD has been around for several years and provided a decent service that all or most use, at least in NTX.

It will be interesting to see who goes where to play on any given weekend. After that, then we'll see who "makes it".

So you went to the ASA meeting and they told you they were doing nothing. Interesting. OR maybe you didn't go at all! and You are on your "I hate ASA band wagon". I am just saying you think things are one way but I am willing to bet they aren't what you think. My guess is ASA has been working on this longer than anyone realizes and just might have something up their sleeves. I am sure there is more to the story of why ASA did not renew its contract with ASA. In my experience the big dog with the big money on the street usually comes out on top.

I wish VTD the best. As far as I am concerend competion will lead to a better product. I have really only done Softball through VTD. So I am rooting for them. All I want is for my girls to play ball as long as they want. There are alot of things that ASA needs to wake up to. So just maybe VTD's alarm clock woke the sleeping Giant.

<b>My advice to everyone is to get your information about VTD from Allen Richardson and then get your ASA information from ASA. It is obvious you have a problem with Gotcher so go to another ASA representative. I wouldn't just listen to the rumors. Get Facts.</b>

[honest bob]

If I were you I wouldn't put all my eggs in that VTD basket. Don't be surprised if it doesn't make it.

What other basket is there right now? ASA has presented nothing so far except pulling the rug out from under all the teams and TDs for the remainder of the year. VTD has been around for several years and provided a decent service that all or most use, at least in NTX.

It will be interesting to see who goes where to play on any given weekend. After that, then we'll see who "makes it".

Guy's!!! guy's!!!!

Lets get this straight. The softball world will always remain weak & watered down until we unite as one.USFA--ASA--VTD--ETC.... See where this is going. The sport we love and fight for daily is the same one we are killing. Are we stronger and better able to provide a good enviroment split up into 13 thousand different assoc. or like any great sport, company or country arent we stronger united. How can we sell a sport to the public or the media" olympic softball " without a national body overseeing this great sport.

ASA has taken the same stand as always sit back and let everybody worship us & we will give nothing back.They have not seen that new fresh thinkers were put into key position rather the good old boy method has been employed "do the same thing and expect different results". this is the purist form of insanity that you can have!!!!!!!

So instead of jumping ship what does everybody think would happen if we put this same effort into getting the proper management in our local ASA and STRIVE for Better standards on a national level ....... WOW I am way out of the box!!!! My bad!! NBA-NHL-MLB-NASCAR THEIR ALL IDIOTS AND WHAT THEIR DOING IS JUST A PASSING FAD..... SORRY DISREGARD EVERYTHING I SAID.


THANK YOU
MR. BOB BILLINGSLY
NATIONAL KNOWITALL PRESIDENT
PROGRESSIVE THINKTANK PLANT SUPERVISOR

[dueceduece]

Honest Bob you have to be the smartest man on this board.
I agree with you somewhat. I just think that competion from VTD could make ASA wake up and change some things. Let's hope that happens. I don't think we have to be in ONE association. I think 2 maybe 3 strong ones is good. The only problem I see with it now is it is all location based. So some areas are strong USSSA, some ASA and some could be VTD. Let's face it we don't have all the answers but I think a good dialogue rather than name bashing is what needs to happen. I am always open to have my mind changed by facts and what is best for the girls.

Bob I nominate you to get that started. Good Luck!!